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Cheap Flash for a D100

Started Dec 16, 2017 | Discussions thread
kli
kli Veteran Member • Posts: 4,591
Re: Cheap Flash for a D100
2

Horoscope Fish wrote:

Both of those flashes will work with your D100 but they don't support TTL, so you'll be adjusting the flash output manually with either one. If that's what you want then that's fine, just pointing it out.

+1 No TTL, no HSS/FP.  Limited usage.  Better if you plan to use the flash off-camera for portrait studio-lighting setups, strobist style.  But for on-camera bouncing and run'n'gun event/social shooting, not a great choice.  (See this answer I wrote on stackexchange about what flash features mean in practical shooting terms).

If this is a first/only flash, I highly advocate getting a TTL full-sized speedlight with 360º swivel. You can always turn TTL off on a TTL flash, but a manual-only flash cannot have TTL added.

Flash can be far more transformative to your photography than a lens. Budgeting accordingly is not stupid.

And even if you still decide to go off-camera manual-only, there is a much better choice that costs the same ($65): the Godox TT600. It's better because a) it's got a radio trigger built in and b) it can do HSS over that radio trigger: neither of the others can. And c) it's in the Godox system.

I use several Yongnuo flashes and I like them a lot.

If you want something that's TTL capable, consider a Yongnuo 565EX instead.

Actually, I'd say consider a $110 Godox TT685-N.  The YN-565EX can't do HSS (you need a YN-568 for that), and has no built-in radio triggering.  The TT685-N has both, and can do quite a bit more.

Because Godox has created an integrated lighting system, while Yongnuo hasn't.

Even a year ago, Yongnuo flashes were a default low-cost hobbyist recommendation for flashes, but this year, Godox rolled out TTL/HSS support for mirrorless as well as Canon/Nikon (so if you add mirrorless or swap to it, you don't have to rebuy your off-camera lights, just your on-camera transmitter).  And the Godox gear can autoswitch between all five systems (Canon/Nikon/Sony/MFT/Fuji) over radio. Yongnuo TTL/HSS gear only comes in Canon and Nikon flavors and can't be used cross-brand in any way.

With Godox all the speedlights have built-in radio transceivers and can be master or slave in the system. The manual-only flashes can do HSS over radio. And both the manual-only and TTL lights can be controlled from the same transmitter. If that transmitter does TTL, you'll have TTL with the lights that can do it.

Compare that with the Yongnuo system where the only way to get the 560/60x manual gear and the 622  or -RT TTL-capable gear to work together is to put the TTL gear into "603" manual mode, where it will act like it's 560/60x gear. And all that TTL/HSS functionality you paid extra ford isn't usable.  And if you use a YN-622 on camera, and YN-685 slaves, you have no way of putting a speedlight on-camera other than to sandwich a YN-622 transceiver between the flash and the camera hotshoe.  The Godox TT685, otoh, can be an RF master by itself. No stacking required.

And if you decide you need bigger lights than speedlights, Godox offers bare bulb flashes and studio strobes (both corded and cordless).  Yongnuo mostly just offers speedlights.

And finally, Adorama has rebranded the Godox X system gear as Flashpoint R2 gear. Which means if you purchase from them, they'll supply the Godox customer support. And it's easier to deal with a retailer in NYC than it is the manufacturer in China. Yongnuo? You don't get the choice: you're dealing with a company in Shenzhen.

There were reasons to get Yongnuo. But today, I'd say there are more reasons to go Godox.

 kli's gear list:kli's gear list
Fujifilm X100T Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 50D Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 Canon EF 135mm F2L USM +12 more
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